AMATEUR RADIO SATELLITE FREQUENCY COORDINATION

Information for developers of satellites planned to use frequency bands allocated to the amateur satellite service.

Download NowMISSION PLANNINGCareful and detailed mission planning -- particularly radio frequency planning -- gives satellite projects the best chances of success. Working out space station and Earth station operating frequencies and link operating parameters at the very beginning of the design process means:

Communication links will work because the link budget is planned to be adequate for the mission

Antenna gain, physical size(s), placement(s), and pointing accuracy (if needed) will be adequate for the mission

Transmitter power requirements, emission, and coding types will be selected for efficiency and performance

Receiver design will be selected for sensitivity, bandwidth, and susceptibility to interference so that it will perform adequately for the mission

Space station power generation and storage will be adequate for the mission

This document should help by explaining and defining some basic frequency management issues to help you through the beginning of RF planning. Important topics include:

Treaty basis for worldwide radio regulation

Special frequency management terms and definitions

Frequency coordination process

Amateur service and amateur-satellite service station coordination

Starting the frequency coordination process

IARU frequency coordination assistance

International frequency planning requirements

Operational guidelines

Amateur satellites

Station control

Multi-service satellites

Permissible communication

Open access

Broadcasting (not permitted!)

Review of mission plans and service options

No doubt, radio frequency planning seems involved and full of details. But, keep in mind that Earth stations and space stations must take into account other users of the radio spectrum and the laws of physics. When you plan properly, you will consider both and your project likely will work.

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